‘Arrow’ Preview: “Burned” Oliver Queen Is Off His Game

Even though The CW's 'Arrow' has had plenty of time to recuperate, making its grand re-entrance with next week's "Burned," don't expect Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) to be ready for battle just yet. His fight with the Dark Archer in 'Arrow's mid-season finale "Year's End" may have left him physically intact, but the vigilante archer will have a much deeper problem when he comes to face the scorching villain Firefly next Wednesday. So what does the latest clip from 'Arrow's mid-season premiere "Burned" tell us? Find all the sizzling new details inside!

Only midway through his first season, there's no way 'Arrow' would quit his vigilante quest for justice already, right? Even after his brutal beating at the hands of the Dark Archer, Malcolm Merlyn (John Barrowman)? That's the question posed to Oliver Queen as 'Arrow' returns from its mid-season hiatus next week with 2013 premiere "Burned."

In it Oliver will face his most difficult challenge yet, simply to take up his vigilante mantle again before disgraced and disfigured firefighter Garfield Lynns (Andrew Dunbar) comes to menace Starling City. As you can see from the clip below, Oliver's confidence is more than a little shaken since his last battle. From The CW's official press release:

OLIVER HANGS UP HIS HOOD — Oliver’s (Stephen Amell) confidence is shaken after being beaten by the Dark Archer and he takes a break from being Arrow. However, when Laurel (Katie Cassidy) calls Arrow for help investigating a firefighter’s suspicious death, he reluctantly agrees but his hesitance while fighting almost costs him his life. Meanwhile, Tommy (Colin Donnell) throws a benefit for the firefighters and Thea (Willa Holland) tries to lift Moira (Susanna Thompson) out of her depressive state.

Well, what say you? Has Oliver's role as the vigilante hero been forever changed by the Dark Archer? Will he recover in time to face the deadly Firefly? Check out the new clip from January 16 episode "Burned" below, and give us your 2013 'Arrow' predictions in the comments!